Tester For Detecting Graphene Security Element In A Security Document, And The Element Detection Method

ABSTRACT

A tester is described for detecting a graphene security element in a secure document, such as a banknote, an identification card, etc. as well as a method for detection of that element. In the tester the light emitter, the reflective/transreflective element and the photodetector are arranged in the measuring slot in such a way that detection of the level of absorption and/or refraction of light passing through a graphene security element is possible and the measurement result when compared with the model provides a basis for generation of a message about the detection result, i.e. the confirmation of authenticity of a security document or information that the document is counterfeited. The tester can preferably be used in combination with a mobile device, such as a smartphone, which together form the measuring system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/864,724 filed Sep. 24, 2015, entitled Tester ForDetecting Graphene Security Element In A Security Document, And TheElement Detection Method, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a tester for detecting a graphene securityelement in a security document, such as a banknote, an identificationcard, etc., and a graphene security element detection method in thesecurity document.

BACKGROUND

Security documents, such as, in particular banknotes, securities,identity cards, identification cards, payment cards, etc. are suppliedwith a variety of security features to protect them againstcounterfeiting. Counterfeiting of security documents can be minimized byapplying a variety of security features to a document of value so thatexpenditures associated with counterfeiting are as high as possible,making possible forgery operation as difficult and costly as possible,and optimally—unprofitable. Because forged documents are often executedusing another (usually cheaper) technology and/or other materials thanthe originals, an effective safety element should be impossible toreproduce accurately using a different technology and/or using othermaterials than originally used. The security element should also bedurable to use and recognizable for machines and equipment. At the sametime its production/introduction into the structure of a securitydocument should be as inexpensive as possible and should provide thepossibility to easily integrate with existing production processes.

There are three levels of security:

-   -   a) the first degree—security based on organoleptic        properties—for users who do not have any additional tools or        equipment;    -   b) the second degree—securities verified using basic tools, e.g.        magnifying glass, UV lamp, etc.;    -   c) the third degree—security verified by experts (specialists)        in appropriately equipped laboratories.

The oldest security elements used to date are all kinds of watermarks,easy to implement during the production of paper and practicallyimpossible to produce on finished paper. Another technical element isopaque materials used for the execution of a document. Sometimes theseadditions can be used as markers in addition to the security functions.Covering materials with different additions, whose composition is thesecret of the producer and the user, are the most common security. Theyare often placed on the border of a security available (recognizable)for an average document user, and security elements recognised by aspecial device only.

The used security features include:

-   -   special, secret recipe paper conferring specific mechanical and        optical properties;    -   replacing paper with polymer substrate difficult to print on;    -   the use of microprinting;    -   recto-verso, i.e. printing on both sides, in which a picture        visible in the lumen is created with the finely fitting elements        located on both sides of a sheet, e.g. a banknote.    -   a description on the recto;    -   metallic foil hot-stamping (hot stamping) with a holographic        model;    -   embossment resulting from intaglio printing;    -   complex graphics, yet distinct, with strong saturation and gloss        paint;    -   watermark, especially visible against the light;    -   a security thread in the form of a metal strip inserted within        the paper structure with spacing forming an inscription;    -   printing with an optically variable ink—seen in front and at a        sharp angle it changes colour;    -   ribbing;    -   drawings visible under UV light.

As modern analytical methods allow you to easily examine the structureof each thin-film product, effective protection should be based more onprocess. At present optimal security solutions for value documentsagainst counterfeiting include a combination of traditional methods, ITtechnology and materials technology that uses nanomaterials.

Although the features of security elements to be verified either by auser or a machine are characteristics associated with the mechanical,electrical and thermal conductivity properties, etc., the features ofthe widest range of applications are optical properties of the securityelement.

The contents of U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,701 present a method and a testerfor measuring the refractive index, absorption and/or lighttransmission, provided with a light emitting diode (LED) emitting lightof different wavelengths and directing them to the test element, and atleast one element sensitised, which is reached by light of each of theLEDs reflected from the surface and/or penetrating through the testpiece. The described tester further comprises control means to theseparate LEDs, which allows, among others, determination of the relativereflectance of various elements of the test at a particular wavelength,the differential reflectance for one test element at two differentwavelengths and the permeation and absorption parameter corresponding tothese measurements and the relative differential.

On the other hand, U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,352 discloses a method and atester for determining the level of absorption of light in the lighttransmitting optical elements. The method is based on the measurement ofthe temperature rise of the optical element resulting from absorption oflight.

Furthermore, DE 10126722 A1 discloses a hand-held device for testing theauthenticity and/or validity of security document such as admissiontickets or travel tickets. The device comprises a reader to move asecurity document through it and read information and/or securityfeatures contained in this document and a testing component, whichverifies the authenticity and/or validity of a security document basedon data recorded by the reader.

In parallel with the development of increasingly complex and difficultto counterfeit security features against counterfeiting, there is acontinuing need for possible simple to use, compact, versatile, andindependent testers and methods for detecting such high-tech securityelements in security documents. As a rule, the operation of verifyingthe authenticity of a security feature in the tested document cannotlead to damage of the structure of the document.

One modern type of document security against counterfeiting arenanomaterials introduced directly into the structure of a securitydocument (paper, plastic), or contained in a separate security elementarranged on or within the structure of the document.

The nanomaterials with properties that are particularly useful in thefield of document security against counterfeiting include graphene,which is a flat structure made of carbon atoms connected in hexagons.Graphene shows, among others, linear dependence of dispersion, resultingin a unique light absorption. Light absorption occurs when an electronfrom the valence band can absorb a photon (the photoelectric effect).This is possible if the energy difference between the point of thevalence band and conduction is the same as the energy of the photon. Ingraphene in the area called “point K” there is a linear dispersiondependence and closed energy slot, which means that each wavelength oflight (each colour) in the range of from near infrared to ultravioletlight can be absorbed by graphene, as there will always be an electron,which can absorb a photon. Furthermore, the probability of absorbingeach wavelength of light is the same. Since the graphene is a singlelayer material, it absorbs only a very small part of the incident light(2.3%) and thus is a material having a high degree of translucency(transparency), and at the same time a material having a very strongabsorption of light (as for such a thin structure).

The graphene security feature can be completely transparent or in thecase of the need to obtain visualisation, it can have a form which isvisible to the human eye.

Examples of graphene structures in security features include:

-   -   (a) a layer of graphene (two-dimensional or structured, e.g.        nanotubes) arranged between two polymer layers;    -   (b) a layer of doped graphene (two-dimensional or structured,        e.g. nanotubes) arranged between two polymer layers.

The structure of graphene in a security element may be supplemented bythe so-called quantum dots. Quantum dots (QD) are semiconductornanocrystals with sizes ranging from 2-10 nm. Just as semiconductors,quantum dots absorb photons of light with such energy that gives you theability to transfer electrons from the non-activated to one of thehigher available energy levels. Otherwise, there is an emission process,because the wavelength emitted by light depends on the size of the dots.Hence, having a semi-conductive material we can get markers havingdifferent colours, which are characteristic of quantum dots.

The radiation may be absorbed by quantum dots in a broad spectral range,whereas their molar absorption coefficient increases towards the UV.Thus the excitation can be made of many kinds of dots using one lightsource, since there is no requirement to apply excitation at a pre-setwavelength. In turn, the profile of the fluorescence emission of quantumdots is narrow and has a small half-width value (FWHM 125 nm). Thisallows for simultaneous use of multiple markers having different colourswithout fear of overlapping of the signals. The nanocrystals can berepeatedly excited, with no noticeable decrease in fluorescence becausethey have a high quantum yield of fluorescence and long radiation(10-100 ns).

The structure of the nanocomposite material comprising a graphenesecurity element takes into account:

-   -   the use of a variable number of layers of polymer in the        material—the number of coats applied is dependent on the        conditions in which the security element will operate.    -   The use of a variable number and size of the graphene quantum        dots, if the use such structure gives is necessary to increase        the efficiency of the security feature.

Graphene security elements, as well as other such security elements havea uniquely shaped design, preferably forming a specified image. Thisshape is applied in the production process on the transparent polymersubstrate. The process of applying the layer of a nanocomposite iscompatible with the application methods for the corresponding polymers.The thus obtained security elements are then placed in known manner inthe structure of security documents.

The objective of the invention is to provide a tester and detector of agraphene security element in a security document, such as a banknote, anidentification card, etc., allowing for a simple, rapid and reliableverification of the authenticity of this document. This objective hasbeen achieved by applying the solution set out in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a tester for detecting a graphene securityelement in a security document, provided with a power module, a controlmodule, an internal memory module, a measuring slot, a specificwavelength light emitter, a reflective/transreflective element and aphotodetector. The tester in accordance with the invention has anadditional data acquisition control module and a control unit, wherein:

-   -   the control module is connected to the power module, the light        emitter, the data acquisition control module and the control        module,    -   the reflective/transreflective element is connected to the light        emitter, the photodetector and the control module,    -   the photodetector is further connected to the data acquisition        control module,    -   the internal memory module is connected to the data acquisition        control module,    -   the light emitter, the reflective/transreflective element and        the photodetector are disposed in the measurement slot in such a        way that when a security document or a fragment thereof        comprising a graphene security element is inserted into the        measurement slot in order to verify the authenticity of the        security document, the light coming from the emitter via the        reflective/transreflective element after reflection from and/or        passing through the graphene security element goes to the        photodetector.

In one of the preferred embodiments, the tester according to theinvention further comprises at least one communication module forwireless data exchange with a mobile device equipped with an LCD/LEDdisplay, especially a smartphone. In preferred embodiments of the testeraccording to the invention the communication module is (i) a Bluetoothmodule connected to the control module and/or (ii) an optical sensorconnected to the reflective/transreflective element and the controlmodule.

In another preferred embodiment, the tester according to the inventionadditionally has a LED/LCD unit connected to the control module.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the tester according to theinvention additionally has a fingerprint reader connected to the controlmodule and the reflective/transreflective element.

The present invention also provides a method for detecting a graphenesecurity element in a security document using a tester according to theinvention as defined above, in which method includes:

-   -   the tester power supply is started,    -   an initial check of the presence of the security document in the        measuring slot is carried out,    -   the light emitter is started,    -   the level of absorption and/or refraction of light passing        through the security element is measured,    -   the result of the measurement is recorded,    -   and a message about the result of detection is generated.

In one preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, the testeraccording to the invention as defined above is used, wherein themeasurement result registration it is transmitted via the communicationmodule to a mobile device provided with an LCD/LED, in particular asmartphone, then the measurement result is compared with a model storedin a database and a message about the result of detection is generatedon the mobile device display. In a preferred embodiment of the methodaccording to the invention, before starting the tester power supply, thetester is deposited on the case of the mobile device.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to theinvention an external database is used as a database, in particular suchpublished in the Internet, and the comparison of the measurement resultwith a model stored in the database is preceded by a mobile deviceestablishing a wireless connection to this database. Alternatively, inanother preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention adatabase stored in the memory of the mobile device is used as adatabase.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, thetester defined above according to the invention provided with a LED/LCDunit is connected to a control unit, and irrespective of the messagesgenerated by means of separate devices such as, in particular a mobiledevice, the detection result is generated by the tester LED/LCD unit.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method of the invention thetester defined above according to the invention provided with afingerprint reader connected to the control module and thereflective/transreflective unit, in which method immediately afterstarting the tester power supply a user fingerprint scan is performedusing a fingerprint reader, which is part of the tester, the result ofthe reading is compared to the model in the tester memory and dependingon the result of the comparison continues with further stages of theprocess

-   -   when the fingerprint reading is consistent with the model, or        the tester operation shuts down    -   when the fingerprint reading is not compatible with the model.

In another preferred embodiment of the method according to theinvention, the tester is used in combination with a mobile deviceprovided with a fingerprint reader, and immediately after starting thetester power supply using the communication module a wireless connectionwith the mobile device is established, then by means of the mobiledevice fingerprint reader, a user fingerprint scan is performed and theresult of the reading is compared to the model in the tester memoryand/or the mobile device, and depending on the result of the comparison,continues with further stages of the process—when the fingerprintreading is consistent with the model, or the tester operation shutsdown—when the fingerprint reading is not compatible with the model.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of application of a graphene securityfeature in a security document (a banknote),

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a method for detecting a graphenesecurity element using a smartphone by an on-line method,

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a method for detecting a graphenesecurity element using a smartphone by an off-line method,

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a method for detecting a graphenesecurity element without using a smartphone,

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a method for detecting the level oflight absorption in a graphene security element using a smartphone,

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a method for detecting thelevel of light absorption in a graphene security element using asmartphone,

FIG. 7 illustrates a variant of a method for detecting the level oflight absorption in a graphene security element without using asmartphone,

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of the measuring functions of graphenesecurity element detection in the on-line method of FIG. 2,

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of the measuring functions of graphenesecurity element detection in the off-line method of FIG. 3,

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of the measuring functions of graphenesecurity element detection in in the method without using a smartphone,

FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of the tester according to theinvention.

The figures use the following indications: 1—power supply module;2—control unit; 3—internal memory module; 4—measuring slot; 5—emitter oflight at a specific wavelength; 6—reflective/transreflective module;7—photodetector; 8—LED/LCD; 9—data acquisition control module;10—fingerprint reader; 11—control module; 12—optical sensor;13—Bluetooth module; 15—tester switch; 20—graphene nanocomposite elasticlayer; 21—polymeric substrate of the security element; 22—graphenesecurity element; 23—security document; A—light absorption leveldetection in a graphene security element; B—comparing the measurementresult with the model in an external database; C—generating a message ofthe detection result through a mobile application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION EMBODIMENTS

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Theterminology used in the detailed description of the embodimentsillustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limitingof the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

FIG. 1 shows an example of application of a graphene security element 22in the structure of the security document 23, here in the form of abanknote, wherein in the graphene security element 22 includes thegraphene nanocomposite elastic layer 20 etched in a freely designedshape is disposed on the polymeric substrate 21 of the security element22.

FIG. 2 shows a variant of the method according to the invention using asmartphone as a mobile device using an on-line method. In this variant,after placing a graphene security element 22 in the measuring slot ofthe tester mounted on the smartphone case the process of A starts—lightabsorption level detection in the graphene security element 22.

After the measurement is taken and the measurement result is transferredto the smartphone, a wireless connection of the smartphone with anexternal database and process B is started—comparing the measurementresult with the model in an external database, then the process C—amessage of the result of detection is generated through the mobileapplication, here completed successfully by displaying the message “OK”on the smartphone LCD/LED. The term “on-line” means that the externaldatabase is available via the Internet.

FIG. 3 shows a variant of the method according to the invention using asmartphone as a mobile device using an off-line method. This method issubstantially similar to the on-line method (FIG. 2), but in this caseas a database stored in the smartphone memory is used as the database,and therefore the method according to this embodiment of the inventionis performed without connecting to the Internet.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention without the use of a smartphone, i.e. only using the tester of the present invention. In thedetection variant illustrated here is in a limited access mode. When thetester is turned on using the switch 15, the user puts his finger to thefingerprint reader 10 on the tester case, and after the positive resultof the verification of user identity (i.e. recognition of the user bythe tester as a person entitled to use it) and placing the securitydocument 23, or fragment thereof containing the security element 22 inthe measuring slot 4, process A starts—detection of the level of lightabsorption in the graphene security feature 22. The detection result,and thus the result of comparing the measurement result with the modelin the database of the tester is generated in LED/LCD module 8.

FIG. 5 shows a variant of the method in detecting the level of lightabsorption in the graphene security element 22 using a smartphone,wherein the tester is mounted as an accessory on the smartphone case. InFIG. 6 shows a variant of the method, wherein the tester only neared tothe smartphone. In turn FIG. 7 shows the process of a method fordetecting the level of light absorption in the graphene security element22 without the use of a smart phone, i.e. only by using the tester ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of the measuring functions of graphenesecurity element 22 detection in the on-line method of FIG. 2, and FIG.9—a corresponding diagram for an off-line method of FIG. 3. In bothversions at the stage of determining the measurement mode, in the caseof a limited mode the step further conditioning the process is apositive identification of the user permissions, implemented throughreading a fingerprint. In FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of the measuringfunctions of graphene security element 22 detection of the methodwithout using a smartphone, i.e. in accordance with the embodiment ofFIG. 7. In the implementation of the detection process in limited accessmode, in the diagram between the step of the system power supply and theinitial control of the presence of the object of detection there is anadditional step of determining the measurement mode as a limitedmeasurement and verification of the user identity according to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a tester according to the inventionfor implementation of the embodiment of the invention in each of thethree major methods described above, i.e. using a smartphone in anon-line method (FIG. 8) using a smartphone in an off-line method (FIG.9) and without using a smartphone (FIG. 10) together with severalvariants thereof. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, thetester according to the invention is provided with the power supplymodule 1, the control module 2, the internal memory module 3, themeasurement slot 4, the emitter of light of a specific wavelength 5, thereflective/transreflective element 6, the photodetector 7, the dataacquisition control module 9 and control unit 11. The control unit 2 isconnected to the power supply module 1, the light emitter 5, the dataacquisition control unit 9 and the control module 11. Thereflective/transreflective element 6 is connected to the light emitter5, the photodetector 7, and the control module 11. The internal memorymodule 3 is connected to the data acquisition control module 9. Thelight emitter 5, the reflective/transreflective element 6 (such as, inparticular, the mirror element or a semipermeable optical element) andthe photodetector 7 are arranged in the measuring slot 4 in such a waythat when a security document or fragment thereof comprising a graphenesecurity element is inserted into the measuring slot 4 in order toverify the authenticity of the security document, the light coming fromthe emitter 5 via the reflective/transreflective element 6 afterreflection from and/or passing through the graphene security elementgoes to the photodetector 7. The tester shown in FIG. 11 has twocommunication modules for wireless data exchange with the mobile deviceequipped with a LCD/LED, in this case—a smartphone, wherein one of thecommunication modules is a Bluetooth module 13 connected to the controlmodule 2, and the second communication module is an optical sensor 12engaged with the reflective/transreflective element 6 and the controlunit 2. As a rule for data exchange with the mobile device onecommunication module is sufficient, but the use of several (e.g. two)different communication modules using different technologies forwireless data transmission increases the possibility of adjusting themethod of use of the tester according to the invention to a user'sspecific needs/preferences. The tester shown in FIG. 11 has a LED/LCD 8connected to the control module 2, enabling the implementation of themethod according to the invention in the embodiment without the use of asmartphone. In addition, the tester has a fingerprint reader 10connected to the control module 11 and a reflective/transreflectiveelement 6, which enables the measurement in a limited access mode, i.e.only by an authorised user.

For graphene security elements the border absorption value is 2.3% ofthe radiation incident on the security element.

The tester and method of the invention can be used to verify theauthenticity of any security documents, using at least one graphenesecurity element. Examples of these types of security documents include:banknotes; passports (security element can be an integral part of thecover); credit cards, driving licenses, ID cards or other documents inthe form of plastic cards (the security element is in the top layer ofthe card); excise prints and bands; personal identifiers; securities;license documents, certificates; high value product labels especiallysusceptible to counterfeiting.

Although the invention has been described in terms of particularembodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in lightof this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modificationswithout departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of theclaimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawingsand descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitatecomprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit thescope thereof.

1. A tester for detecting a graphene security element comprising: a control module; a light emitter that emits a light via a reflective and/or transreflective element, and a photodetector operable to detect a change of about 2.3 percent of a light reflected from and/or transmitted through the graphene security element relative to the light emitted from the light emitter via a reflective and/or transreflective element.
 2. The tester of claim 1 wherein the control module is connected to a power supply module, the light emitter, a data acquisition control module and a control unit; the reflective and/or transreflective element is connected to the light emitter, the photodetector and the control unit; the photodetector is further connected to the data acquisition control module; and the internal memory module is connected to the data acquisition control module.
 3. The tester of claim 1 wherein the light emitter, the reflective and/or transreflective element and the photodetector are aligned in a measurement slot so that when a security document or a fragment thereof comprising the graphene security element is inserted into the measurement slot the light coming from the light emitter via the reflective/transreflective element is reflected from and/or transmitted through the graphene security element.
 4. The tester of claim 1 wherein the light emitter emits light of a specific wavelength.
 5. The tester of claim 1 further comprising at least one communication module for wireless data exchange.
 6. The tester of claim 5 wherein the communication module is a Bluetooth module.
 7. The tester of claim 5 wherein the communication module is an optical sensor connected to the reflective/transreflective element and the control module.
 8. The tester of claim 1 wherein the tester further comprises a fingerprint reader.
 9. A method of determining an authenticity of an article comprising: emitting a light towards an article; measuring a level a light reflected from and/or transmitted through the article; assessing a presence of a graphene security element on the article by said measuring; determining an authenticity of the article based upon said assessing the presence of the graphene security element.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising authenticating a fingerprint of a user.
 11. The method of claim 9 further comprising mounting a tester on a mobile device.
 12. The method of claim 9 further comprising employing a wireless communication module.
 13. A method of detecting a graphene security element on a security document comprising: determining the presence of a security document in a measurement slot; emitting a light within the measurement slot; measuring a light reflected from and/or transmitted through the security document; detecting a presence of a graphene security element on the security document based upon said measuring; recording a result of said detecting, and generating a message about said detecting on a display.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: scanning a fingerprint of a user through a fingerprint reader, and comparing the scanned fingerprint to a pattern stored in an internal memory of the tester.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising shutting the tester down automatically when the scanned fingerprint is not consistent with the pattern stored in the internal memory or proceeding to a next step when the scanned fingerprint is consistent with the pattern stored in the internal memory.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein the result is transmitted via a communication module to the mobile device and the result is compared with a pattern stored in a database and a message about the result of the detecting is generated on a mobile device display.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the measurement slot is mounted on a mobile device before said determining.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein the database is an external database and the measurement result from the mobile device is compared with the stored pattern of the external database by using a wireless connection.
 19. The method of claim 16 wherein the database is an internal database stored in a memory of the mobile device.
 20. The method of claim 16 wherein a message indicating the result of said detecting is generated by a LED and/or LCD module absent a mobile device. 